Compact power generation apparatus and method of generating energy

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a compact power generation apparatus for the generation of energy for powering various appliances, such as domestic appliances, comprising a housing accommodating an air cooled internal combustion engine, generator driven by the engine for the generation of electrical power, an exhaust system, an inlet communicating with an outlet and flow generating means for circulating a cooling air flow through and around the generator, the engine and the exhaust, wherein heat exchanging means are provided for extracting heat from the exhaust system and from the circulating air flow and passing said extracted heat on to a utility medium, such as air or water for utility purposes. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of generating energy, a method of automated power management of a compact power generation apparatus, and a power management system for carrying out this method.

The present invention relates to a compact power generation apparatusaccording to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to amethod of generating energy, a method of automated power management of acompact power generation apparatus, and a power management system forcarrying out this method.

Small generators and accessories such as small heaters and batterychargers are products which are used in a wide field of applications.Such type of small generator can be used for powering a heater and otherelectrical appliances in e.g. trucks, leisure boats, mobile homes,caravans, for military purposes, in crises zones and other areas wherenormal electrical power and heat sources are not available,

The generator is driven by an internal combustion engine for thegeneration of electrical power. This power can be used for poweringvarious electrical devices, such as electrical heaters, lights, pumps,etc. and air conditioning installations.

The combustion engine in the generator can be air cooled, such as e.g.known from GB-A-2 213 201, U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,405, U.S. Pat. No.4,608,946 or DE-A1-35 11 123. A constant flow of air is generated aroundthe engine and the generator in order to remove the surplus heat,preventing the engine and the generator from overheating. The flowpassages of the cooling air are designed in such a way that the noisefrom the engine is reduced. Also a silencer such in the exhaust isinstalled, and a protective, soundproof cover is fitted around the unit,in order to reduce the noise emission from the generator unit. Mostdevices are controlled by regulating the revolutions per minute of theengine and thus the frequency of the output. A small fuel tank isinstalled allowing for a few hours of operation. An exhaust silencer isfitted for noise reduction purposes.

For the provision of heat, heaters are known that consist of a hotchamber in which the fuel is consumed and a fin provides air for thecombustion. A small fuel pump which is controlled by basic controlelectronics control the amount of fuel. The associated control panel istypically a timing device, which will allow a timed start and stop.

Battery chargers normally consist of a transformer which is designedsuch that when a certain charging voltage has been reached, the currentwill be close to zero and thus providing a simple charging mechanism.Unfortunately, the point where a battery is considered fully chargedvaries considerably with the temperature and rarely the batteries arecharged properly causing a substantial wear on the batteries and a lowlife time.

In boats, trucks, mobile homes etc. the increasing power consumption dueto the increase in the amount of equipment such as micro wave ovens,heaters, television, etc. require large battery capacity and largebattery chargers in order to provide adequate battery charging whenpower is available.

In trucks for example, the need for battery charging, air conditioningand heating, when the main engine is not running, is real. The heatingcan be solved by using a small diesel powered heater which consumesconsiderable DC power when in use and thus increases the need forbattery charging even more. Air conditioning is only possible to havewhile the main engine is running and truck drivers must tolerate ambienttemperatures when resting.

From e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,175 an engine generator is known where awater cooled diesel engine for driving the generator. The use of wateras coolant provides an efficient cooling in a compact system, just asthe water cooling system in addition provides a noise reducing effect.Other water cooled diesel solutions are also known in particular formaritime purposes, that exhibits an excellent noise reduction and thusan extremely silent and compact generator.

However, these water cooled generators generally have a low efficiency.Moreover, a water cooling system is quite heavy as water connections,flow channels and air coolers must be present. This makes the watercooled generators both heavy and somewhat bulky and thus less suitablefor purposes where frequent transportation is needed.

The low efficiency is a rather generic problem by an engine as well asby a generator. In the conversion from one energy source to another,energy is lost. In the engine where the fuel is combusted, in thetransmission between the engine and the generator and in the conversionof mechanical energy into electrical power in the generator.Insufficient cooling and poor air supply and circulation into and aroundthe engine are also factors contributing to a poor overall performanceof a power generation apparatus. However, the reduction of the noiseemission of the small generator usually causes some amount of decreasein efficiency of the power output, although many solutions attempts tominimise this efficiency decrease.

The efficiency is also decreased in the subsequently connectedelectrical appliances, and current small diesel powered generators onlyconvert 20-30% of the total available power into electrical power. Theremaining energy in the form of heat is wasted.

The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to theseabove identified problems and other problems associated with the priorart solutions and to provide a compact power generation apparatus. It isa further object of the invention to provide a method of generatingenergy and managing the power generation in a compact power generationapparatus.

This object is achieved by a compact power generation apparatus of theinitially mentioned kind, wherein heat exchanging means are provided forextracting heat from the exhaust system and from the circulating airflow and passing said extracted heat on to a utility medium, such as airor water for utility purposes.

By the present invention a compact power generation apparatus isprovided that can produce several types of energy outputs for theconsumption in e.g. cabins of trucks, boats and recreation vehicles. Byproducing both electrical and heat energy for the consumption, theelectrical energy need not be converted further in order to produceheat. This means that the efficiency in the production of heat isimproved compared to the generator-sets known in the art. The heatenergy that previously was considered a waste produce, can now berecovered and used for e.g. heating purposes, such as hot water or hotair. By cooling the exhaust air, the air volume is reduced and thus thenoise level is reduced.

By making use of the available energy, including the normally wastedheat, the efficiency of a compact power generation apparatus accordingto the invention can be increased immensely.

In the preferred embodiment of a compact power generation apparatusaccording to the invention, the flow generating means involves means forgenerating an air flow through the generator, the engine and/or the heatexchanging means. This ensures a sufficient amount of air supply for theengine to run smoothly and a good cooling effect.

In the preferred embodiment the housing is provided with an inner and anouter chamber, said chambers being connected by a spacing divided intochannels, said inner chamber accommodating the engine, generator andheat exchanging means. The channels between the inner and outer chambercan moreover be covered in sound absorbing material. Hereby a goodcooling air circulation is provided that also provides a noise reductionof the power generation apparatus.

The inner chamber is in a preferred embodiment diverted into a number ofchannels, in which the cooling air can circulate by the assistance of afirst and second fan that are provided in the inner chamber, in such away that the inner chamber exhibits a cool section between the two fansand a hot section after the second fan. Hereby an efficient cooling isprovided by the circulating air. By providing a slight over pressure inthe cold section where the air intake is located, a super chargingeffect can be provided for the engine.

In the preferred embodiment, the first fan is a fly wheel mounted on theshaft of the generator forcing air through and around the generator. Thesecond fan is preferably mounted by the air intake of the engine,preferably as a part of the fly wheel of the engine, and the first andsecond fan are so dimensioned that an relative higher pressure than theambient pressure is present in the cold section. This solution providesan satisfactory air circulation in a simple manner.

The heat exchanging means in a power generation apparatus according tothe invention comprises in the preferred embodiment of the invention, afirst heat exchanger and second heat exchanger, the first heat exchangerextracting the heat from the exhaust system and heating the circulatingcooling air, and the second heat exchanger separating the heat from thehot circulating air, and fresh air. The first heat exchanger couldpreferably be an exhaust silencer, possibly in a design where asubstantial flow resistance in the exhaust is present in such a way thatthe design is suitable for extracting the heat from the exhaust. By thetwo heat exchangers the heat can safely be extracted from both theexhaust and the hot utility air, i.e. both the air that flows throughand around the engine and the generator. By collecting the heat in thehot utility air and extracting it therefrom in the second heat exchangerthat is an air to air and/or water heat exchanger. The second heatexchanger can also be provided with means for water heating andcomprises an auxiliary electrical heat element and a fan. This meansthat the power generation apparatus according to this embodiment of theinvention can also provide hot air or hot water, since the second heatexchanger can be powered by electricity.

In the preferred embodiment the power generation apparatus includesbattery charging means. The battery or batteries can be charged when theengine is running. This charging can be controlled automaticallyaccording to the load on the engine and the present demand for power atthe power outputs of the power generation apparatuses, and the actualneed for charging.

The internal combustion engine is in the preferred embodiment a dieselengine, but it is realised that other combustion engines, such as apetrol- or gas-driven engine or a gas turbine could be usedalternatively.

In a second aspect of the invention the invention comprises a method ofgenerating energy in a compact power generation apparatus, said methodcomprising the steps of combusting a fuel, such as diesel oil, petrol,gas or the like, from a fuel source in an internal combustion engine,converting the potential energy of the fuel into mechanical power isgenerated together with the generation of heat, converting saidmechanical power into electrical power in a generator, and into an airflow through an air inlet and through and around the generator and theengine, absorbing the heat generated by the combustion in the engine andthe generator in at least a part of the air flow, and extracting theheat in heat exchanging means and passing said heat on to a utilitymedium, such as air or water for utility purposes.

A method according to this aspect of the invention, enables theextraction of several sources of energy from a compact power generationapparatus in a consumable form, this means that the overall efficiencyis increased, and that a compact power generation apparatus making useof this method becomes self-contained, as no external units must beconnected to the generator in order to secure the supply of energyneeded on the site.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the at least one battery,such as a utility and/or a start battery is charged by the electricalpower generated by the generator.

The electrical power generated by the generator is in a preferredembodiment converted into a utility AC voltage, such as 220/115 V AC, sothat the power generation apparatus can substitute a normal powerconnected to the net of a household appliance, such as a coffee machine,a micro wave oven, etc. Preferably two further electric power outputsare present, providing 12/24 VDC 60/30 Amp for utility battery charging,and 12/24 VDC 10/5 Amp for start battery charging.

According to a method according to the invention, air conditioning canalso carried out by electrically powered air conditioning means. Thismeans that the temperature in a cabin or the like where the powergeneration apparatus is placed, can be controlled. A thermostat couldalso be connected to the control system of the power generationapparatus, making it possible to control the room temperature byaltering between the use of an air conditioner and the air to air heatexchanging means. The heat exchange is done in two stages, such asdescribed above: a first heat exchange is carried out extracting heatfrom the exhaust system and absorbing said heat in the air flow, and asecond heat exchange is carried out extracting heat from the air flowand passing the heat on to the utility medium.

In a further aspect of the present invention a power management systemand a method of automated power management of a compact power generationapparatus, such as a power generation apparatus and a method accordingto the previous described aspects. The method of automated powermanagement comprises the steps of sensing the load on the engine,registering the demand for electrical and mechanical power, and feedingthese measurements to a power management means involving computer meansconnected to regulation means, and regulating the power generation anddistributing said available power according to the registered need forelectrical power and mechanical power, respectively.

Hereby the power generation apparatus can be operated automaticallyfacilitating the operation of the power generation apparatus.

According to a preferred embodiment of said method, the registration ofthe power demand includes registering the capacity of the at least onebattery, and that available power is regulated according to the demandfor electrical and mechanical power.

The power management can automatically and start and stop the engineaccording to present demands.

The invention further comprises a power management system for carryingout the method according to the third aspect of the present invention,where said system comprises sensor means for measuring the performanceand/or characteristics of one or more energy conversion elements of thepower generation apparatus, registration means for determining thepresently required output of electrical and mechanical power from thepower generation apparatus, and computer means for controlling one ormore regulation means of the energy conversion means for adapting thekinds of generated power of the power generation apparatus according tothe actual demands.

According to a preferred embodiment, the present power load on thegenerator is sensed, and that the power management according to theavailable power is determined according to a program containing apredetermined set of priorities. The power distribution can hereby begoverned by a software in the computer. This software can be designedaccording to the area of operation, such as the climate, etc. that theminiature power generation apparatus is intended for.

The computer means preferably comprises a user interface for monitoringthe power management and for entering user specified operationcharacteristics in the power management. Hereby it is possible tomonitor the condition of the system, e.g. if a component is worn.

The power management system involves both electrical and heat powermanagement, sensing the temperatures of the heat exchanging means andthe air inlet of the power generation apparatus.

The invention is in the following described in more detail withreference to a specific embodiment of the invention and with referenceto the accompanying drawings on which

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a power generation apparatus according toa preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inner chamber of the power generationapparatus,

FIG. 3 is an end view thereof,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner chamber of the powergeneration apparatus,

FIG. 5 is the same viewed from the other end,

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the second heat exchanger,

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the power management system accordingto the invention,

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the energy flow in a powergeneration apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention, and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the central control computer of the powermanagement system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 a miniature automated power generation isshown. The apparatus comprises an inner chamber and an outer chamber.The inner chamber contains an internal combustion engine 12, a generator17, an auxiliary fuel tank 13 and a first heat exchanger 5, 15. Thisfirst heat exchanger 5, 15 is a special exhaust silencer cooling theexhaust air from the engine 12 by the extracting the heat from theexhaust and passing it onto a circulating air flow in the inner chamber.The cooling reduces the air volume of the exhaust air and thus the noiselevel.

The inner chamber is built on a base platform comprising a base plate 10of metal and an oil sump 11. Onto said base plate 10 the vibration andnoise generating components are mounted. The weight of the base plate 10is such that it acts as a counter weight to the vibrating parts. Thebase plate 10 under the engine is hollow and contains part of the oilsump 11, this feature allows long engine operation between oil changeand provides continuos lubrication during tilt up to and in excess of 30degrees, both in pitch and roll. This base plate 10 is mounted on aframe 1 which in turn is based on a vibration reducing mat 2. This matis placed inside the outer chamber base plate 4 and thus providesvibration isolation between the inner and outer chamber.

The noise and vibration generating components are all arranged in theinner chamber, including the air intake and the drive transmission belt(not shown) between the engine 12 and the generator 17 that are arrangednext to and parallel to each other. To the rear end of the generatorshaft is mounted the primary fan 16. The primary fan air intake 18 isthrough a channel which is formed in the inner chamber wall 14 and theouter chamber wall 3 (not shown in FIGS. 2-5 for illustrative purposes).This channel is coated with a noise reducing foam or similar coating, sothat a noise isolation between the inner chamber and the outside isprovided.

The air from the primary fan 16 is forced through and around thegenerator 17, past the belt drive and up to the second fan 9 mounted onthe engine 12. The space between the two fans 9, 16 is the cold sectionof the inner chamber and in which an over pressure in relation to theoutside atmospheric pressure is present due to the designcharacteristics of the fans 9, 16. The air intake of the engine 12 islocated in this area and the engine is thereby provided with a supercharging effect improving the performance of the engine 12. Thegenerator 17 has an internal fan which provides internal ventilation.The second fan 9 is also the fly wheel to which an electric startermotor is attached. The over pressure in the cold section helps thesecond fan to force the air through the engine 12. The heated air fromthe engine 12 is then forced through the primary heat exchanger or heatrecovery unit 5. The exhaust from the engine 12 is also forced throughthe primary heat exchanger 5 whereby the heat from the exhaust isrecovered. the hot air after the primary heat exchanger 5 is passedthrough a channel which is formed between the inner chamber 7 and theouter chamber 3. This channel is coated with a noise reducing foam andthus provide noise isolation between the inner chamber and the outside.

Externally mounted on the outer chamber 3 is the secondary heatexchanger 6. The second heat exchanger 6 is an air to air and air towater exchanger, see FIG. 6. It comprises a hot air inlet 19 receivingthe hot air from the first heat exchanger 5, an air outlet 22 for theair output for the air from the first heat exchanger 5, an air outlet 23for heated fresh air, a water inlet 24 for cold water and a water outlet25 for hot water. Moreover, the second heat exchanger 6 also comprisesan electric fan 21 and an electric heat element 20. The electric fanprovides fresh air flow through the second heat exchanger 6. This aircan be used for heating. The electric heat element is used by thecomputer 15 of the power management system to provide a load on theengine and thus increase heat generation when no other load orinsufficient load compared with the demand is present.

A small internal fuel tank 13 such as a tank containing 200 ml fuel ismounted on the side of the engine 12. This is to prevent air in the fuelsystem when connecting an disconnecting the power plant (or MAPS:Miniature Automated Power System) from fixed installations. It alsoprovides emergency start and limited operation capability in case oftotal power failure.

The central control computer 15 is located together with otherelectronics in a none vibration enclosure which is attached to the outerchamber 3. The computer provides automated start and stop of the MAPSand distributes the total available power according to a set of rules inthe software. FIG. 7 shows schematically the various power output fromthe energy source 12 that are managed by the control computer 15. Thesepower output are: hot air 23 and hot water 25, AC power output 27,preferably 220 V AC 2200 W per demand, an air conditioner 26,temperature compensated utility battery charging 28 and temperaturecompensated start battery charging 29. It also provides servicemanagement and failure identification. The load on the A/C power outputis monitored and if a load is present, the computer initiates a startsequence. The fuel pump of the engine is activated, a servo motor drivesa stop lever to an operate position and the starter motor is engaged.The A/C power output from the generator 17 is monitored. When thegenerator reaches 40% below normal RPM it starts generating current andwhen this is sensed by the computer, the starter motor is disengaged.

If nothing is sensed after a pre-determined period of time, the startermotor is also disengaged. After a certain time period, preferablydefined in the software e.g. one minute, another start is attempted thiswill continue to either a start is successful or a certain number ofattempts have been made, said number preferably being defined in themanagement software, e.g. five attempts. If unsuccessful, a service lampon the control panel will light and a failure code indicating the typeof failure will be displayed on the display.

A number of causes can initiate a start sequence: a) A/C power load, b)low voltage on either battery charging circuits, c) manual startrequest, d) heat request, e) air conditioning request. The batterycharging circuits are divided into two separate systems, a 12 Volt/60Amp or 24 Volt/30 amp, and a 12 Volt/10 amp or 24 volt/5 amp circuit.

Each circuit has separated sensing means located at each set ofbatteries, that will sense the temperature and voltage. Using thisinformation the computer will initiate a start sequence when thebatteries are considered discharged and provide automated batterycharging according to a dynamic charging profile. This provides optimumcharging and reduces the charging time.

The load management is done by measuring the total load on thegenerator. If the load increases beyond the allowable maximum, loadswill be disconnected according to a set of rules in the software, wherethe air conditioning has lowest priority and the battery charging hasthe highest.

If heat is requested and no load or insufficient load is present, thecomputer will provide load to the engine by using the heat element 21 inthe second heat exchanger 6. This load is dynamically controlled anddetermined by the amount of heat requested and the load present by otherrequirements, such as battery charging.

When there is no heat or air conditioning requirement, load on the A/Cpower or battery charging circuits, the engine will shut down unless apower management becomes valid within a predetermined time period, e.g.determined in the MAPS software, e.g. three minutes.

In FIG. 8, the energy flow by a MAPS according to the invention and thedivision into different types of energy is illustrated. A portableminiature, silent, automated power plant according to the preferredembodiment of the invention provides from 100% energy, 70% utility heat,10% waste heat and 20% mechanical movement. The mechanical movement isused to drive the generator.

As displayed in the graphic circuit “Energy Flow” fuel is combusted inthe engine that hereby produces heat in the exhaust system. The enginefurther drives the generator, as shown in the “mechanical Power” graphiccircuit. The generator drives a fan of the air intake, initiating the“Air Flow” energy circuit. The generator also produces electrical power,as indicated by the “Electrical Power” graphic display.

The “Air Flow” provides cooling to the generator and air for the engine.The air flows through the primary heat exchanger where the surplus heatfrom the exhaust is collected in the air flow, that then continuesthrough the secondary heat exchanger and over the electrically drivenheat element, that can apply further meat according to the demand forhot water or hot air.

The heat element is driven by the electric power generated in thegenerator, as shown by the “Electric Power” flow. The electric power isalso distributed to the start battery, the utility battery, the AC poweroutput and to the air conditioner.

All the energy consuming and energy generating components are managed bythe central control computer. In FIG. 9 a block diagram of the preferreddesign of the central computer is shown. The computer is provided with adisplay for monitoring the status of the power management, conditionsand possible failures of individual components. Associated with thedisplay a control panel is present for manual input of control data.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile compact power generation apparatus,mountable on a vehicle, for generation of energy for powering appliancesin mobile facilities, comprising: a housing accommodating an air cooledinternal combustion engine and including an exhaust system; a generatordriven by the engine for generation of electrical power; an inletcommunicating with an outlet and flow generating means for circulating acooling air flow through and around the generator, the engine and theexhaust system; heat exchanging means adapted to extracting heat fromthe exhaust system and from the circulating air flow and passing saidextracted heat on to a utility medium; and a power management systemsensing a load on the engine in order to distribute power according toactual demands for electrical power or heat in the mobile facilities. 2.A mobile compact power generation apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the flow generating means includes means for generating an airflow through the generator, the engine and the heat exchanging means. 3.A mobile compact power generation apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the housing is provided with an inner and an outer chamber, saidchambers being connected by a spacing divided into channels, said innerchamber accommodating the engine, generator and beat exchanging means.4. A mobile compact power generation apparatus according to claim 3,wherein said channels between the inner and outer chamber are covered insound absorbing material.
 5. A mobile compact power generation apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the inner chamber is divided into a numberof channels, in which the cooling air can be circulated by first andsecond fans that are provided in the inner chamber, in such a way thatthe inner chamber exhibits a cool section between the two fans and a hotsection after the second fan.
 6. A mobile compact power generationapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first fan is a fly wheelmounted on a shaft of the generator forcing air through and around thegenerator.
 7. A mobile compact power generation apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the second fan is mounted by an air intake of theengine.
 8. A mobile compact power generation apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the first and second fans are so dimensioned that arelative higher pressure than ambient pressure is present in the coolsection.
 9. A mobile compact power generation apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the heat exchanging means comprises a first heatexchanger and second heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger extractingthe heat from the exhaust system and heating the circulating coolingair, and the second heat exchanger separating the heat from hotcirculating air and fresh air.
 10. A mobile compact power generationapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first beat exchanger is anexhaust silencer.
 11. A mobile compact power generation apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the second heat exchanger is provided withmeans for water heating and comprises an auxiliary electrical heatelement and a fan.
 12. A mobile compact power generation apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the power generation apparatus includesbattery charging means.
 13. A method of generating energy in a vehiclewith a mobile compact power generation apparatus, comprising the stepsof: combusting a fuel from a fuel source in an air cooled internalcombustion engine, converting potential energy of the fuel intomechanical power, along with generation of heat, converting saidmechanical power into electrical power in a generator, and into an airflow through an air inlet and through and around the generator and theengine, absorbing the heat generated by the combustion in the engine andthe generator in at least a part of the air flow, and extracting theheat in heat exchanging means and passing said heat on to a utilitymedium for utility purposes.
 14. A mobile compact power generationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engineis a diesel engine.
 15. A method of automated power management of amobile compact power generation apparatus by carrying out the followingsteps: sensing a load on an air cooled internal combustion engine,registering demand for electrical and mechanical power inpower-consuming facilities in a vehicle, feeding these measurements to apower management system including computer means connected to regulationmeans, and regulating power generation and distributing available poweraccording to the registered demand for electrical power and mechanicalpower, respectively.
 16. A power management system carrying out a methodof automated power management of a mobile compact power generationapparatus generating predetermined sources of utility energy in avehicle, the mobile compact power generation apparatus having an aircooled internal combustion engine, said power management systemcomprising: sensor means for measuring at least one characteristic of atleast one energy conversions element of the power generation apparatus,registration means for determining a presently required output ofelectrical and mechanical power from the power generation apparatus, andcomputer means for controlling at least one regulation means of theenergy conversion element for adapting generated power of the powergeneration apparatus according to actual demands.
 17. A power managementsystem according to claim 16, wherein the power management systemperforms both electrical and heat power management, sensing temperaturesof a heat exchanging means and an air inlet of the power generationapparatus.
 18. A power management system according to claim 16, whereinthe computer means comprises a user interface for monitoring the powermanagement apparatus and for entering user specified operationcharacteristics in the power management apparatus.
 19. A mobile compactpower generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the utilitymedium is air for utility purposes.
 20. A mobile compact powergeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the utility medium iswater for utility purposes.
 21. A method according to claim 13, whereinat least one battery is charged by the electrical power generated by thegenerator.
 22. A method according to claim 13, wherein the air flow isheated by an electric heat element.
 23. A method according to claim 13,wherein the electrical power generated by the generator is convertedinto a utility AC voltage.
 24. A method according to claim 13, whereinair conditioning is provided by an electrically powered air conditioningmeans.
 25. A method according to 13, wherein a first heat exchange iscarried out extracting heat from the exhaust system and absorbing saidheat in the air flow, and a second heat exchange is carried outextracting heat from the air flow and passing the heat on to the utilitymedium.
 26. A mobile compact power generation apparatus mountable on avehicle for the generation of energy for powering appliances in mobilefacilities, comprising: a housing accommodating an air cooled internalcombustion engine and including an exhaust system; a generator driven bythe engine for the generation of electrical power; an inletcommunicating with an outlet and flow generating means for circulating acooling air flow through and around the generator, the engine and theexhaust system; and a power management system sensing a load on theengine in order to distribute power according to actual demands forelectrical power or heat in the mobile facilities.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the registration of the power demandincludes registering a capacity of at least one battery, and whereinavailable power is regulated according to the demand for electrical andmechanical power.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the powermanagement apparatus automatically starts and stops the engine accordingto present demands.
 29. A power management system according to claim 16,wherein a present power load on the generation apparatus is sensed, andwherein power management according to the available power is determinedaccording to a program containing a predetermined set of priorities.